Category Archives: Health Care

What did Lyndon B. Johnson and Ronald Reagan have in common – besides their landslide victories? Author Jonathan Darman says they had the same political hero. With women potentially a decisive voting bloc in the midterm elections, law professor Deborah Rhode explains why a vast majority of Americans agree with feminist principles, but don’t identify as feminists. And Bill Press talks about Ebola with Vermont Congressman Peter Welch.

October 26, 2014Darman on the similarities between LBJ and Reagan … Rhode on what women want … and Bill Press talks ebola with Congressman Peter Welch.

Jonathan DarmanLyndon Johnson was as big-government Democrat as we have seen in our lifetime. Ronald Reagan ushered in the era of small government. But author Jonathan Darman talks with us about their similarities.

Deborah Rhode Stanford law professor Deborah Rhode says America ranks 78th in the world in the proportion of women in political leadership – and that’s behind Saudi Arabia. She has some ideas on how to change that.

Ten years ago, Thomas Frank wrote the landmark book “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” Today, he says the same thing is still wrong in the Sunflower State – Governor Sam Brownback – and he is ripe for defeat. Constitutional law professor William Forbath explains how the concept of “originalism” works for progressives, too. And Bill Press interviews Illinois Representative Jan Schakowsky, about the congressional response to Ebola.

October 19, 2014Thomas Frank reminds us what’s still the matter with Kansas. Professor William Forbath says the Constitution belongs to progressives. And Bill Press interviews Congresswoman Jan Schakowski about the response to ebola.

Thomas FrankKansas Governor Sam Brownback is ripe for defeat, says Thomas Frank, who predicts that in the long term, the Republican Party is doomed. The short-term presents some problems, however.

William ForbathLaw professor William Forbath says our Constitution was written to oppose oligarchy, to guarantee economic equality and to promote progressive ideals.

Ebola fear is gripping the nation, and veteran diplomat Robert Hormats says the disease is just one of a number of new foreign policy challenges for the United States. Demographer and political analyst Ruy Teixeira says there’s a chance Democrats can retain the Senate, and that 2016 looks even better. And Bill Press interviews Danny Kanner of the the Democratic Governors Association about the election outlook in the statehouses.

With all the furor over the Supreme Court’s injection of religion into public policy, we hear from theologian James Skillen about the true nature of this country’s spiritual foundation. And activist nun Simone Campbell reveals what she would ask Pope Francis, if she could. Finally, Bill Press interviews Debbie Wasserman Schultz on Hobby Lobby and impeachment.

Jul. 13, 2014Religion is on the menu today with theologian James Skillen, activist nun Simone Campbell and a Bill Press interview with Debbie Wasserman Schultz on the Hobby Lobby case.

James SkillenThe Supreme Court’s exemption for Hobby Lobby from Obamacare and the Justices' incredible decision about contraception makes this is a good time to hear from an actual theologian – Professor James Skillen – about the true role of faith in American politics.

Simone CampbellActivist nun Simone Campbell says the Catholic movement for economic justice is well within the teachings of the church. And she reveals what she would ask Pope Francis.

Jim Hightower has spent three decades battling the "powers that be on behalf of the powers that ought to be."

Twice elected Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Hightower believes that the true political spectrum is not right to left but top to bottom, and he has become a leading national voice for the 90 percent of the public who no longer find themselves within shouting distance of the Washington and Wall Street powers at the top.

As political columnist Molly Ivins said, "If Will Rogers and Mother Jones had a baby, Jim Hightower would be that rambunctious child — mad as hell, with a sense of humor."

To read his latest commentaries and subscribe to his monthly Hightower Lowdown, go to www.JimHightower.com.